Statute: 13-2501
Act: How Cited
Sections 13-2501 to 13-2550 shall be known
and may be cited as the Joint Public Agency Act.
Source:
Laws 1999, LB 87, § 1.
Statute: 13-2502
Purpose of act.
Source:
Laws 1999, LB 87, § 2.
Statute: 13-2504
Agreements authorized; conditions; transfer of property and employees.
(1) Any two or more public agencies may enter into agreements with one another for joint or cooperative action pursuant to the Joint Public Agency Act. Appropriate action by ordinance, resolution, or otherwise pursuant to law of the governing bodies of the participating public agencies shall be necessary before any such agreement may enter into force.
(2) Any such agreement shall specify the following:
(a) Its duration;
(b) The general organization, composition, and nature of any joint public agency created by the agreement together with the powers delegated to the entity;
(c) Its purpose or purposes;
(d) The manner of financing the joint undertaking and of establishing and maintaining a budget;
(e) The permissible method or methods to be employed in amending the agreement or accomplishing the partial or complete termination of the agreement and for disposing of property upon such partial or complete termination consistent with section 13-2518;
(f) The manner of levying, collecting, and accounting for any tax authorized under sections 13-318 to 13-326 or 13-2813 to 13-2816 and any allocation of tax authority under section 13-2507; and
(g) Any other necessary and proper matters.
(3) No agreement made pursuant to the Joint Public Agency Act shall relieve any public agency of any obligation or responsibility imposed upon it by law except to the extent of actual and timely performance by a joint public agency created by an agreement made pursuant to the act, which performance may be offered in satisfaction of the obligation or responsibility.
(4) Participating public agencies may transfer property, other assets, and employees to a joint public agency as provided in the agreement. Notwithstanding other provisions of law, if employees are transferred any vested employment rights shall be transferred with the employee and the employee shall be vested with the joint public agency at the time of transfer.
Source:
Laws 1999, LB 87, § 4; Laws 2001, LB 142, § 29.
Statute: 13-2507
Power to tax.
(1) A joint public agency shall have only those powers of taxation as one or more of the participating public agencies has and only as specifically provided in the agreement proposing creation of the joint public agency, except that a joint public agency shall not levy a local option sales tax. Participating public agencies may agree to allow the joint public agency to levy a property tax rate not to exceed a limit as provided in the agreement if the agreement also limits the levy authority of the overlapping participating public agencies collectively to the same amount. The levy authority of a joint public agency shall be allocated by the city or county as provided in section 77-3443, and the agreement may require allocation of levy authority by the city or county.
(2) If one or more of the participating public agencies is a municipality, the agreement may allow any occupation or wheel tax to be extended over the area encompassed by the joint public agency at a rate uniform to that of the city or village for the purpose of providing revenue to finance the services to be provided by the joint public agency. The tax shall not be extended until the procedures governing enactment by the municipality are followed by the joint public agency, including any requirement for a public vote.
(3) If the agreement calls for the allocation of property tax levy authority to the joint public agency, the amount of the allocation to the joint public agency and from each participating public agency shall be reported to the Property Tax Administrator.
Source:
Laws 1999, LB 87, § 7.
Creation; procedure; appointment of representatives.
(1) The governing body of each public agency participating in the creation of a joint public agency shall adopt a resolution determining that there is a need for a joint public agency and setting forth the names of the proposed participating public agencies. The resolution shall be published in three issues, not less than seven days between issues, of a legal newspaper for each proposed participating public agency or a newspaper having general circulation in the area served by a proposed participating public agency if no legal newspaper exists for the participating public agency and of one or more newspapers of general circulation in the area to be served by the joint public agency. Any such resolution shall not be adopted by a public agency prior to five days after the last publication by the proposed participating public agency. In the case of a state agency, the governing board shall adopt the resolution, or if there is no governing board, the Governor shall issue a proclamation without notice in lieu of a resolution. In the case of a federal agency, the governing board shall adopt the resolution or, if there is no governing board, the President of the United States shall issue a proclamation without notice in lieu of a resolution. The resolution may be adopted by a governing body on its own motion upon determining, in its discretion, that a need exists for a joint public agency. In determining whether such a need exists, a governing body may take into consideration the present and future needs of the public agency with respect to the materials, goods, property, and services which a joint public agency may utilize or provide, the adequacy, suitability, and availability of such materials, goods, property, and services to meet the needs of the participating public agency if no joint public agency is formed, and economic or other advantages or efficiencies which may be realized by cooperative action through a joint public agency.
(2) Upon issuance of a certificate of creation by the Secretary of State, the Governor in the case of a participating state agency which does not have a governing board, the President of the United States or federal agency head in the case of a federal agency, the mayor or city manager in the case of a city which has not elected to be governed as a village, or the chairperson of the governing body of each participating public agency shall appoint representatives as provided by the agreement for creation of the joint public agency. Representatives, other than representatives appointed by the Governor, the President of the United States, or a federal agency head, must be members of the governing body of the participating public agency which they are appointed to represent. Upon issuance of an amended certificate of creation pursuant to section 13-2513, a representative shall be appointed by each additional participating public agency as provided in this section. An alternate representative with the same qualifications may be appointed in the same manner as a representative and shall serve and exercise all powers of a representative in the absence of the representative for whom he or she is the alternate. The representatives shall constitute the board in which shall be vested all powers of the joint public agency.
Source:Laws 1999, LB 87, § 9.
Statute: 13-2513
Participation by other public agencies; procedure.
After the creation of a joint public agency, any other public agency may become a participating public agency therein upon
(1) the adoption of a resolution by the governing body of the public agency setting forth the determination prescribed in section 13-2509 and authorizing the public agency to become a participating public agency after notice as described in subsection (1) of section 13-2509
(2) application to the joint public agency, and
(3) adoption by a majority vote of the representatives, unless the joint public agency's rules of governance require a greater percentage, of a resolution by the board admitting the public agency as a participating public agency.
Thereupon the public agency shall become a participating public agency entitled to appoint a representative or representatives in the manner prescribed by sections 13-2509 and 13-2515 and to otherwise participate in the joint public agency to the same extent as if the public agency had participated in the creation of the joint public agency. Upon the filing with the Secretary of State of certified copies of the resolutions described in this section and proof of publication of notice, the Secretary of State shall issue an amended certificate of creation setting forth the names of the participating public agencies, the date of creation, and the name of the joint public agency. Notice shall be given as provided in section 13-2511.
Source:
Laws 1999, LB 87, § 13.
Statutes: 13-2518
Dissolution; withdrawal.
Unless the agreement provides for dissolution, a joint public agency shall be dissolved upon the adoption, by the governing bodies of at least one-half of the participating public agencies, of a resolution setting forth the determination that the need for the public agencies to act cooperatively through a joint public agency no longer exists. A joint public agency shall not be dissolved so long as the agency has bonds outstanding unless provision for full payment of the bonds and interest thereon, by escrow or otherwise, has been made pursuant to the terms of the bonds or the resolution, indenture, or security instrument securing the bonds. If the governing bodies of one or more, but less than a majority, of the participating public agencies adopt such a resolution, such public agencies shall be permitted to withdraw from participation in the joint public agency, but withdrawal shall not affect the obligations of the withdrawing public agency pursuant to any contracts or other agreements with the joint public agency. Withdrawal shall not impair the payment of any outstanding bonds or interest thereon. In the event of the dissolution of a joint public agency, its board shall provide for the disposition, division, or distribution of the joint public agency's assets among the participating public agencies by such means as the board shall determine, in its sole discretion, to be fair and equitable or as provided in the agreement for creation of the joint public agency.
Source:
Laws 1999, LB 87, § 18.
Statute: 13-2519
Status as political subdivision.
A joint public agency shall constitute a political subdivision and a public body corporate and politic of this state exercising public powers separate from the participating public agencies. A joint public agency shall have the duties, privileges, immunities, rights, liabilities, and disabilities of a political subdivision and a public body corporate and politic exercising powers and acting on behalf of the participating public agencies.
Source:
Laws 1999, LB 87, § 19.
Statute: 13-2521
Powers.
The powers of a joint public agency shall include the power:
(1) To sue;
(2) To have a seal and alter the same at pleasure or to dispense with the necessity thereof;
(3) To make and execute contracts and other instruments necessary or convenient to the exercise of its powers;
(4) From time to time, to make, amend, and repeal rules of governance not inconsistent with the Joint Public Agency Act or the terms of the agreement for its creation to carry out and effectuate its powers and purposes;
(5) To adopt and promulgate rules and regulations as authorized for at least one of the participating public agencies and as provided in the agreement;
(6) To acquire, own, hold, use, lease, as lessor or lessee, sell, or otherwise dispose of, mortgage, pledge, or grant a security interest in any real or personal property, commodity, product, or service or any interest therein or right thereto as provided by law;
(7) To incur debts, liabilities, or obligations, including the borrowing of money and the issuance of bonds, secured or unsecured, pursuant to the Joint Public Agency Act;
(8) To borrow money or accept contributions, grants, or other financial assistance from a public agency and to comply with such conditions and enter into such contracts, covenants, mortgages, trust indentures, leases, or agreements as may be necessary, convenient, or desirable;
(9) To fix, maintain, revise, and collect fees, rates, rents, and charges for functions, services, or facilities provided by the joint public agency;
(10) Subject to any agreements with holders of outstanding bonds, to invest any funds held in reserve or sinking funds, or any funds not required for immediate disbursement, including the proceeds from the sale of any bonds, in such obligations, securities, and other investments as the board shall deem proper;
(11) To join and pay dues to organizations, membership in which is deemed by the board to be beneficial to the accomplishment of the joint public agency's purposes; and
(12) To exercise any other powers which are deemed necessary and convenient to carry out the Joint Public Agency Act.
A joint public agency may perform any governmental service, activity, or undertaking which at least one of the participating public agencies is authorized to perform. In exercising its powers under this section to perform any governmental service, activity, or undertaking, a joint public agency shall be subject to the same procedures, regulations, and restrictions as the participating public agency which is granted the power by law to perform the governmental service, activity, or undertaking.
Source:
Laws 1999, LB 87, § 21.
Statute: 13-2525
Biennial report; fee.
(1) Commencing in 2001 and each odd-numbered year thereafter, each joint public agency shall deliver to the Secretary of State a biennial report on a form prescribed and furnished by the Secretary of State that sets forth:
(a) The name of the joint public agency;
(b) The street address of its principal office and the name of its manager or executive director, if any, at the office in this state;
(c) The names and business or residence addresses of its representatives and principal officers;
(d) A brief description of the nature of its activities; and
(e) The names of the participating public agencies.
(2) The information in the biennial report must be current on the date the biennial report is executed on behalf of the joint public agency.
(3) The first biennial report must be delivered to the Secretary of State between January 1 and April 1 of the odd-numbered year following the calendar year in which the joint public agency was authorized to transact business. Subsequent biennial reports must be delivered to the Secretary of State between January 1 and April 1 of the following odd-numbered years. The biennial report is due on April 1 of the odd-numbered year in which it must be delivered to the Secretary of State as required by this section.
(4) If a biennial report does not contain the information required by this section, the Secretary of State shall promptly notify the reporting joint public agency in writing and return the report to it for correction. If the report is corrected to contain the information required by this section and delivered to the Secretary of State within thirty days after the effective date of notice, it is deemed to be timely filed.
(5) Upon the delivery of the biennial report as provided in this section, the Secretary of State shall charge and collect a fee of twenty dollars. The fee is due on April 1 of the odd-numbered year in which the biennial report must be delivered to the Secretary of State as required by this section.
Source:
Laws 1999, LB 87, § 25.
Statutes: 13-2527
Expenditures; bond requirements.
(1) All money of the joint public agency shall be paid out or expended only by check, draft, warrant, or other instrument in writing, signed by the chairperson and the treasurer, assistant treasurer, or such other officer, employee, or agent of the joint public agency as is authorized by the treasurer to sign in his or her behalf. The authorization by the treasurer shall be in writing and filed with the secretary of the joint public agency.
(2) In the event that there is no treasurer's bond that expressly insures the joint public agency against loss resulting from the fraudulent, illegal, negligent, or otherwise wrongful or unauthorized acts or conduct by or on the part of any person authorized to sign checks, drafts, warrants, or other instruments in writing, there shall be procured and filed with the secretary of the joint public agency, together with the written authorization filed with the secretary, a surety bond, effective for protection against the loss, in such form and penal amount and with such corporate surety as shall be approved in writing by the signed endorsement thereon of any two officers of the joint public agency other than the treasurer. The secretary shall report to the board at each meeting any such bonds filed, or any change in the status of any such bonds, since the last previous meeting of the board.
Source:
Laws 1999, LB 87, § 27.
Statutes: 13-2530
Revenue bonds authorized.
(1) Any joint public agency may issue such types of bonds as its board may determine subject only to any agreement with the holders of outstanding bonds, including bonds as to which the principal and interest are payable exclusively from all or a portion of the revenue from one or more projects, from one or more revenue-producing contracts, including securities acquired from any person, or leases made by the joint public agency with any person, including any of the public agencies which are parties to the agreement creating the joint public agency, or from its revenue generally or which may be additionally secured by a pledge of any grant, subsidy, or contribution from any person or a pledge of any income or revenue, funds, or money of the joint public agency from any source whatsoever or a mortgage or security interest in any real or personal property, commodity, product, or service or interest therein.
(2) Any bonds issued by such joint public agency shall be issued on behalf of the joint public agency solely for the specific purpose or purposes for which the joint public agency has been created. Such specific purposes may include, but shall not be limited to, solid waste collection, management, and disposal; waste recycling; sanitary sewage treatment and disposal; public safety communications; correctional facilities; water treatment plants and distribution systems; drainage systems; flood control projects; fire protection services; ground water quality management and control; hospital and other health care services; bridges, roads, and streets; and law enforcement.
(3) As an alternative to issuing bonds for financing public safety communication projects, any joint public agency may enter into a financing agreement with the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority for such purpose.
(4) Any joint public agency formed for purposes of providing or assisting with the provision of public safety communications may enter into an agreement with any other joint public agency relating to (a) the operation, maintenance, or management of the property or facilities of such joint public agency or (b) the operation, maintenance, or management of the property or facilities of such other joint public agency.
Source:
Laws 1999, LB 87, § 30; Laws 2002, LB 1211, § 2.
Statutes: 13-2531
General obligation bonds.
Any joint public agency may from time to time issue its bonds in such principal amounts as its board determines is necessary to provide sufficient funds to carry out any of the joint public agency's purposes and powers, including the establishment or increase of reserves, the payment of interest accrued during construction of a project and for such period thereafter as the board may determine, and the payment of all other costs or expenses of the joint public agency incident to and necessary or convenient to carry out its purposes and powers.
Source:
Laws 1999, LB 87, § 31.
Statute: 13-2547
Act; how construed.
The provisions of the Joint Public Agency Act shall be deemed to provide an additional, alternative, and complete method for the doing of the things authorized by the act and shall be deemed and construed to be supplemental and additional to, and not in derogation of, powers conferred upon political subdivisions, agencies, and others by law. Insofar as the provisions of the Joint Public Agency Act are inconsistent with the provisions of any general or special law, administrative order, or regulation, the provisions of the Joint Public Agency Act shall be controlling.
Source:
Laws 1999, LB 87, § 47.
Statute: 13-2550
Liberal construction.
The Joint Public Agency Act is necessary for the welfare of the state and its inhabitants and shall be construed liberally to effect its purposes.
Source:
Laws 1999, LB 87, § 50.
